Your prayers uplift me. I see God's work in these plans. Ronald and I are excited about getting married. He still has to tell his parents, but we're overjoyed that we getting to be together again after 6 longth months. There may be an employment opportunity opening up for me through World Vision as well. I've just applied for it and pray that God brings it to pass. This would allow Ronald and I to be together sooner than expected. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Sorry about the spelling mistakes in my recent update. It's part of the stress manifesting itself right now, but you get the general idea. Your prayers really do mean a lot to us! We'll keep you posted of our wedding plans with wedding pics. from Zimbabwe!

I've been feeling better. Thanks to everyone who's been praying for Ronald and me. Good news! He told his parents that we're getting married and is making arrangements. I'm very excited and glad that he's taken the initiative to begin making preparations for us. It looks like we'll be getting married in Mutare, the diamond capital of Zimbabwe. My anxieties have abated. God is good! I can't wait to reunite with my mudiwa (beloved in Shona)!

Ronald and I are getting married in Zimbabwe on the 21st of December and are very excited! I fly out from Canada on the 17th. God is good. I have seen Him move in all of this and His presence fills my heart with resounding joy. Thank you everyone for your love, prayers and concern for us. We truly thank you more than you could ever know. Please pray for ongoing safety and God's blessings as we embark upon this beautiful time in our lives during what has become a very dark time for the Zimbabwean people.

December 29, 2007 Our Wedding Day!
I am now Mrs. Marangwanda after much prayer, petition and supplication. I have waited my entire life to be married and God could not have joined me to a better man. I'm over the world with happiness and now pray, after returning to Canada alone without Ronald, that the Lord will reunite us quickly and that we will not have to ever be apart again once we are back together.

Our wedding was absolutely beautiful. Orginally we were going to marry privately in Mutare, but some of Ronald's family members convinced him to have a public ceremony. We were both delighted to receive the blessing of his family. In all there were probably 100 of his family members present for our joyous day. We were married on Ronald's mom's birthday at his parents' home. Everything came together so wonderfully. God has been good to us and, without a doubt, I know that we have His blessing. It rained on our wedding day, furociously about 8 hours before the ceremony. and I prayed upon prayer that the rain would subside. As the hours passed. it did. By the time we were married in the afternoon, it was just sprinkling. It was actually very romantic getting married under umbrellas with our witnesses safely seated under a tent we'd rented.

Ronald and I wept as we said our vows to one another. I was overwhelmed with love for him and for God whom I know brought us together. Our wedding song is Umbrella by Rihanna. How cute is that?

Sadly though, I had to return to Canada only 4 days after we were married. That doesn't make for a very good honeymoon. Ronald wasn't able to come with me because the Canadian Embassy denied him a visitor's visa. Now I have to apply to sponsor him so that he can join me in Canada. Who knows how long that will take. Please pray for us. Pray for us with all your might. I wasn't able to remain with him in Zimbabwe because I amassed considerable debt while I voluteered there for 6 months last year in addition to wedding and recent travel costs. Ronald and I did not receive any financial assistance with our wedding. I also have to finish a contract at work. It is our hope and prayer that Ronald will be able to come here to continue his studies as a medical doctor and eventually work here. It's also easier for us to live here where I can continue to work as a Social Worker, making a reasonable wage while he establishes himself. Despite the challenges that we are facing, I'm more happy than I can describe. For the first time in my life I feel at peace. I am developing roots and am hopeful about the future. Again, I plea that you continue to pray for us. I need to be with my husband and fast!

On March 10, 2008, our lawyer sent my husband's application off to Mississauga where I'll be reviewed to act as his sponsor. It should be about 2-3 weeks now before I hear anything back. Then, if I'm approved, his application gets sent to Zimbabwe for his permanent resident's visa. I've been feeling very overwhelmed, sick and depressed as of late from all of the waiting. I have little support and I need help just as much as I give it at work. I need to know that things are going to work out and that he'll be with me soon. The election in Zimbabwe in on March 29. I pray that God is with the people there and keeps them protected from violence that may ensue following the elections. Please pray that God will place his angels around to protect me in all that I do. I need to feel the Lord's presence right now because I've been repeatedly attacked by the evil one. He's been inundating my thoughts and has weakened my body and will. I've been having unholy nightmares with evil imagery and I'm worn out. Please pray that my husband will be with me by no later than July 08. We need one another to be together quickly for support, love and strenghth. Please pray for us. I'm in desperate need of help. In Jesus' name I ask for your help.